Systems and methods for manufacturing of multi-property anatomically customized devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for using a three dimensional fabrication device, like a 3D Printer, for novel automation and additive manufacturing techniques in manufacturing medical devices such as orthotics, customized for a particular person. The systems and methods may use a plurality of work surfaces on the three dimensional fabrication device. The systems and methods may use a plurality of materials or a plurality of fabrication tools and processes to manufacture the customized product.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This applicant claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 741,368, filed Jul. 18, 2012 and incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention primarily relates to additive manufacturing systems and techniques, often referred to as three dimensional (“3D”) fabrication or 3D Printing.[0004]2. Background[0005]There have been many developments in additive manufacturing in recent years, and three dimensional fabrication or “printing” systems have become an increasingly practical means of manufacturing organic and inorganic materials from a digital model. Three dimensional fabricators are often referred to as additive manufacturing devices or 3D Printers. Such devices have also been adapted to work as part of, or in conjunction with, traditional computer numeric control (CNC) systems and other robotic motion or robotic arm systems, which have motions systems simil...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The shortcomings of the prior art can be overcome and additional advantages can be provided with the additive manufacturing systems and techniques described herein. The present invention can thereby make additive manufacturing more practical and may result in a drastic improvement in output product quality. Some of the features provided by the system of the present disclosure are described as follows:

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, the variety of pads 400 are typically mass produced, limiting the mechanical properties which a clinician can offer a patient to the specific predetermined offerings of pad manufacturers.

If a patient desired a custom pad, it would be expensive, time-consuming, and require a great deal of manual labor.

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